Spotlight



Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. KLIEGL, OFNEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TOV KLIEGL BR-CS UNIVERSALELEC-y TRIC STAGE LIGHTING CO., INC., OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

SPOTLIGHT.

Application filed December 14, 1926.

This invention pertains to spot lights of the type used in theatres. y

In the use of such devices it is customary to place transparent screensof variouscolors before the spot light in order to produce the desiredcolor effect-s on the stage.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide such mechanism forcontrolling the color screens that the screens may be safely manipulatedfrom a distant point so that no operator will be necessary at the light.

Another object is to provide improved electromagnetic devices formanipulating the color screens.

Another object is to provide mechanism whereby the screens may bemanipulated with safety against breakage.

Another object is to provide mechanism for reducing the amount ofcurrent required by the electromagnetic devices.

y Further and other objects and advantages will be hereinafter set forthin the accompanying specification and claims, and shown in the drawings,which by Way of illustration show what is now considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a typical spot light with my invention inplace thereon. The front of the light is at the left.

Fig. 2 is a front view ofthe light with one color screen in front of thelens and the unused screens in inoperative position. The cushioning andcurrent-saving springs are also shown. Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram.

The spot light casing is designated 10, and it is locked in position toclamp 12 on supporting standard 14.

A handle 16 is provided by which the operator moves the light withreference to standard 14. Hand wheel 18 is used to control theelectriclight within casing 10, while hand wheels 20 and 22 are providedto control the iris shutter and curtain shutters respectively, both ofwhich are contained within the front end of casing 10.

Secured to the side of casing 10 is a bracket 24 in which is fast ashaft26 projecting forwardly beyond the front of the casing (Figs. l and 2).

Mounted on shaft 26 are a number of color screens 30. Five are shown,but any number may be used. Each screen 30 -is rotat- Serial No.154,701.

able on shaft 26 from its inoperative position resting on stop 32 to itsoperative position on stop 34, orvice versa.

Each transparent color screen 30 is supported by a circular frame 36, towhich is fast a supportingarin 88 (Fig. Arm 38 has a hub-like portion40, and projecting from hub 40 at substantially right angles with arm 38are arms 42 and 44.

Depending from the free end of arm 42 is a link 48, thevlower end ofwhich is pivotally attached to thel free end of a lever 50, the otherendof which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 52, fast in the machine.

At a mid-position on each lever 50 is attached a depending link 54, tothe lower end of which is attached the plunger 56 ofthe solenoid 58.`When solenoid 58 is energized plunger 56, lever 50, and link 48 aredrawn down to rock arm 42 and screen 30 from its inoperative position onstop v32 toA its operativeposition on stop 34.

The screen may be retained in operative position in any one of a varietyof ways, but I prefer to have the magnet itself act not only to set thescreen but also to hold it in operative position.

So long as a magnet is energized its corresponding screen is held inoperative position, and the Vinstant the magnet is .deenergized thescreen will be drawn back to its inoperative position as will appear.There is one solenoid operatively connected to `each screen. The screensare spaced closely together on shaft 26 and as they are comparativelythin as compared to the magnets, vthe levers 50 are bent or offset asshown in Fig. 3 in order to permit a convenient arrangement of magnetsand screens. It will be understood that each link 48 in Fig. 3 isaligned with one oithe screens.

The electric circuits are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4, in which 60is the source of current, from'which extend the two lines 62 and Y64.There is a button switch 66 corresponding to each magnet 58. VVhen abutdrawn contact is broken between stem 72 and blades (S8-70, and themagnet is deenergized, whereupon the screen 80 controlled by that magnetis restored to normal position by its spring 46.

Coil sprmgs 7S around switch stein 72 Serve to keep the switches frominadvertently contacting with the switch blades 68 and 70.

It is evident that one or more or all of the color screens may be intheir operative positions at the same time il' the operator so desires.The usual procedure, however, is to use the screens one at a time. Tochange from one color to another the operator simply pulls out theswitch controlling the screen in use and pushes in the switch c011-trolling the screen desired.

Stops 32 and 34C are cushioned to prevent injury to the mechanism due tothe rapid action of the parts, or I provide a. dash pot 112 connected tothe free end 114 of each lever 50, or an arrangement such as shown inFig. 2 is provided. Attached to the lower end o1 each arm 41 are twocoil springs 104: and 106. These springs extend in opposite directions,their outer ends being attached to the frame of the machine at 108 and110 respectively. Springs 101 and 106 are so adj usted as to tensionthat spring 104 normally overpowers spring 106 so as to hold screen 30in its inoperative position at the right.

When a magnet 58 is energized, spring 101 is overpowered by the magnetassisted by spring 106, with the result that the screen controlled bythat magnet is drawn over and held in the operative position againststop 8a. Then the magnet is deenergized, spring 101 draws the screenhack to its inoperative position against stop 32. IVhile the screen isapproaching stop 32 the tension in spring 106 steadily increases,reaching a maximum when the screen rests on the stop, thereby acting tocushion the screen as it descends against the stop. In like mannerspring 104:

acts as a cushion when the screen is moved to its other position.

Due to the tact that spring 106 acts to assist the magnet in startingthe screen to its operative position, less current is required for theoperation of the screens. Thus the arrangement just described serves thedouble purpose of cushioning the screens, and of decreasing the currentconsumption.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theconstruction herein specifically illustrated and described but can beembodied in other forms without departure from its spirit as expressedby the claims.

I claim- 1. In combination with a spot light, a color screen7 havingoperative and non-operative positions, a magnet, means connecting saidmagnet to said screen whereby upon energization of said magnet saidscreen is moved to operative position, a resilient device to return saidscreen to inoperativeposi tion when said magnet is deenergized, andmeans for assisting said magnet in starting the movement of the screenfrom its inoperative to its operative position.

2. In combination with a spot light, a color screen, having operativeand non-operative positions, a. magnet, means connecting said magnet tosaid screen whereby upon energization ot said magnet said screen ismoved to operative position, a resilient device to return said screen toinoperative position when said magnet is deencrgized1 and supplementalmeans for assisting said magnet in starting the movement ot the screenfrom its inoperative to its operative position, said means also servingto cushion said screen when it returns to its inoperative posi tion.

In testimony whereof I hereto alix my signature.

`JOI-IN H. KLIEGL.

